Ocean Guardian School

The Ocean Guardian School Program is managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with funding coordinated by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

ocean guardian logo

The application cycle for the 2023 - 2024 school year is now closed. Applications for the 2024 - 2025 school year will open in Spring 2024.

Does your school have what it takes to help protect the ocean for the future? Promote ocean and watershed conservation at your school or in your local community by becoming an Ocean Guardian School.

An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.

An Ocean Guardian School:

  • provides project(s) for students related to the conservation of local watersheds, the world's ocean, and/or special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries.
  • provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and friends to participate in a range of environmental and sustainable activities.
  • provides learning programs and opportunities that reflect environmentally sustainable practices that enable all students to be environmentally active and committed "Ocean Guardians."
  • provides ways for classrooms to promote best environmental practices within local communities, while at the same time projecting a positive image of the school itself.

Ocean Guardian School Videos

Guardians of the Ocean

Want to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about the ocean and conservation? Follow the lead of local California students in Ocean Guardian Schools who have made a commitment to protecting the ocean and preserving local watersheds. Naomi Pollack of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries highlights these everyday actions students are taking to protect the ocean and their local watersheds. Learn more about the positive impact these actions are having on the students, their families and local communities.